Amidst the Christmas preparations and the final week of school, I found myself preparing gifts for the teachers. Writing out cards of appreciation and baking chocolate orange cookies, I was focused on giving to others. And after an appointment in the city, I did one last round of shopping for a few presents for our children and the cousins. Genuinely, I love preparing gifts and … Continue reading What Can I Give Him?
Before children, I think I was a decently considerate friend—spending time, calling or sending messages, and posting birthday cards on time were all routine activities. However, since having children, I have had to let my previous standards slip, while struggling to keep up with the daily demands of raising a family. Often, as a mother, it is all I can do to keep up with … Continue reading Expectations In Friendship
Recently, I was washing up the dishes in the routine way I’m used to doing so often, night after night. I was thinking of the children and all that their needs require. As they grow older, I’m not sure they really do get any easier, because some of the challenges grow bigger, requiring more emotional energy and stamina as a mother! Despite my achy legs … Continue reading Children Are Our Masterpieces
When I think about people being genuinely kind to each other, the absolute friendliest person I know is my dad. Always smiling and chatting, he’s the type of individual that really gets to know people. In the town I grew up in, he can walk into the local bank and say, “Hello!” to the majority of bank tellers by first name. When he was still … Continue reading The Friendliest Person I Know
One of the things I remember about my mom while I was growing up, was that Christmas and Easter were times to bake cookies for friends and neighbours. I specifically remember a giant Tupperware bowl containing a double batch of my mom’s classic oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough! The sweet smell of cinnamon, oats, and chocolate filled our kitchen. On this occasion she was using … Continue reading A Cookie At A Time
The other day, I was trying to find a certain necklace to wear, that my husband had gifted me for a previous birthday present. As I looked through various boxes, I was reminded of why I haven’t worn it in a long while. Its delicate chain had become thoroughly tangled with another necklace and a bracelet. And trying to untwist a mess of jewellery had … Continue reading Temporarily Tangled
Like many mothers out there, I feel like food is always on my brain. There are meals to prepare, groceries to order, and then with school having started up, the packed lunch assembly is in full swing! Charlie and I, at the end of last year, also committed to try incorporating exercise, working out, and eating well into our lifestyle. And in regard to food, … Continue reading Packed Lunch Prayers
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 This last week at bedtime, I’ve been asked the daily question, “Mummy, how many more days until my birthday?” Our excited boy just couldn’t hardly wait for a big slice of chocolate cake and the anticipation of presents. The long awaited day … Continue reading A Time To Pause & Celebrate – Part 2
My lovely friend Charlene is an encourager. She is a seeker of God’s heart and humbly listens to the Holy Spirit working in her life and in others. We’ve had great conversations and there is an openness and freedom being sisters in Christ together. We were recently at her youngest daughter’s birthday party (before lockdown!) and to my surprise, Charlene’s eldest, Charlotte had made me … Continue reading Charlotte The Encourager
Over the last few days my kids have been playing nonstop in the garden. In particular, they found a snail, who was quickly named Mr. Snail! He’s spent his last days curled in his shell on a frisbee with a few leaves. Each evening he’s been released but has been found in the same general area each morning. The kids had been wanting to see … Continue reading At A Snail’s Pace
Joy A. Mead 